Arthritis Pain Management Tips

Arthritis is in a line of degenerative conditions that are associated with the inflammation of joints leading to pain and stiffness. It is one of the most common causes of pain treated at Samwell Institute for Pain Management. There are several types of arthritis, each distinguished by their causes. Osteoarthritis is the most common type and it is usually caused by overuse leading to wear and tear. Therefore, osteoarthritis usually occurs with age. Rheumatoid arthritis is also a common type of arthritis and it results from an autoimmune condition that attacks the bone cartilage. Arthritis can affect any joint in the body but the most commonly affected joints include the knees, hips, and ankles, among others. Below are some of the tips that you can use to manage arthritis pain.

Manage Weight

Although you may not realize it, carrying excess pounds can weigh heavily on your joints. If you do not have arthritis already, being overweight can accelerate wear and tear in the joints. If you are currently suffering from arthritis, being overweight is going to aggravate your symptoms. Therefore, by maintaining a healthy weight, you can significantly prevent osteoarthritis or even improve the symptoms of arthritis.

Exercise Regularly

In addition to helping you manage weight, regular exercise can also help with other aspects of managing arthritis. For instance, regular exercise can go a long way in improving flexibility and mobility in the joint. However, you have to remember that weight-bearing exercises such as weight lifting, running, walking, and jumping can cause damages to an arthritic person. Instead, you should try low impact aerobics such as swimming, stretching, and riding a stationary bike. The idea is to flex your joints and muscles without putting your joints under intense pressure.

Cold and Hot Therapy

Some of the most common symptoms of arthritis include joint pain and swelling. Therefore, cold and hot therapy can make a significant difference. For instance, taking a long, warm bath or shower in the morning can go a long way in easing stiffness in the joints. You can also use moist heating pads or electric blankets at night in order to keep your joints loose. When you are experiencing pain, cold treatments, such as gel ice packs, can also significantly reduce your pain.

Medication

When the pain is severe, and it does not seem to be going away with exercise and other home-based treatments, you can look for over-the-counter pain medications. If the symptoms persist, you should seek the assistance of a pain management specialist. Some common treatments that you can receive to manage arthritis include steroid injections, physical therapy, acupuncture, nerve blocks, and disease-modifying drugs.

The Bottom Line

Overall, Arthritis can be debilitating, but its symptoms can be managed with the assistance of a pain management specialist, such as Jay M. Shah, MD, of Samwell Institute for Pain Management. Pain specialists have many methods that they can apply to manage your symptoms, depending on their severity. Feel free to contact Samwell Institute for Pain Management today for more information on how you can manage your arthritis.